A Birthday Girl

I had the sweetest little girl and her mom in the studio.

It was little miss's first birthday and her mom wanted to record it.

Mom didn't want the traditional cake smash but brought along a dress she had worn as a girl as well as her daughter's new birthday dress.

I put together a few setups that we could play in. ( I LOVE that part of my job!)

Mom also brought a cupcake she had saved from the birthday party for a bit of a mini cake smash at the end of our session . . .

What fun! She was such a sweetie.

And . . . because I love a good video slide show, I took bits of video and melded it with my favorites images and some great music: (as always,watch on YouTube and click on the cog in the lower right corner to watch it in HD 720p)

Happy birthday to a darling little girl!

Rachelle. A Bridal Shower

Back in April, when Henry's mom had the big celebration for her 80th birthday, my sister-in-law Evelyn came up with a plan to surprise our niece Rachelle who, along with her family, came from Ontario for Grandma's birthday.

Rachelle and her fiancee Garnet are getting married in the beginning of June. Most of the 'western' family won't be able to attend, so Evelyn decided to throw Rachelle a surprise Bridal shower, English tea style.

 

It was a beautiful event and we were all thrilled for the opportunity to share, even just a bit, in Rachelle's special day.

You can see the story by watching her Bridal Shower video.

(Want to see it at it's best? Watch it on youtube, click on the cog in the lower right corner and set it to 720p HD and then in full screen. :D) 

I pray God blesses you both as you prepare for your wedding Rachelle and Garnet.

Love, Aunt Rosa.

Val and Doug. A Couples Portrait Session

A while back, during an unusual mild spell, I had the chance to visit Doug and Val at their beautiful acreage for a couple's portrait session.

I had done Laura and Anthony's anniversary portraits there, late last summer, so I knew I would have some amazing locations to work with.

I wasn't quite sure how this portrait session would go though. Doug's always struck me as a real 'man's man', and I wasn't sure how he'd react to my somewhat whimsical approach to portrait sessions. After all, blowing bubbles and 'a man's man' are not two things that you naturally think of as going together . . .

He was such a good sport though! We tried out an assortment of locations on their property, each one lovelier than the last.

Doug and Val got a little snuggling in (while being closely observed by one of their boys hiding behind the wood pile! There is no privacy when you're a parent . . .)

Not only did Doug take all the bubble blowing in stride he even allowed me to post the pictures on the blog! Now that's a sweet husband. :D


I love couples portraits. So often, once you have kids and are in the midst of the demanding busy-ness that brings, you put your identity as a couple on the back burner, telling yourself you'll pick it back up when the kids get older. Taking time out for the two of you as a couple and then printing your favorite photo from the session is a great way to reconnect and remind yourself that you are more than just 'mom and dad'.

Here are some of my favorites from Doug and Val's session:

Thanks for playing with me you guys!